Bizen Blade

[Akitombo]

Hi,

I think I 've worked this one out, but.............just in case.

Is this Bizen Kuni Ju Arimitsu ?

If so , which one is it?

As always Thankyou

 

Regards

David

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

I think the mei reads Kiyomitsu and not Arimitsu.

[Guest reinhard]

Jacques is correct. The name is KIYOMITSU. A picture taken full frontal and with the the nakago in vertical position could be helpful for further research (just in case you're interested).

 

reinhard

[Akitombo]

Hi,

Having looked at the group of Kiyomitsu, that throws up a problem.

According to Cox and Shimano's "Bizen Osafune Kiyomitsu Ha", the signiture should read Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Kiyomitsu.

Was this a custom made sword or a fake?

As always regards

David

[Guest reinhard]

According to Cox and Shimano's "Bizen Osafune Kiyomitsu Ha", the signiture should read Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Kiyomitsu.

Was this a custom made sword or a fake?

 

You are right. The location (Osafune) is usually mentioned on Sue-Bizen swords. Either as in:

 

Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune...(+title/name/etc.)

 

or as in:

 

Bishu Osafune (+name)

 

Statistically the custom-made swords are much more frequent among the first group, but there are some good blades with the "Bishu Osafune"-mei as well (several juyo-token by TADAMITSU, f.e.)

 

It is not necessarily an either/or decision (custom-made/fake). You can't call kazuuchi-mono "fakes" BTW. Nevertheless it is very unusual to see the "Osafune" missing on a Sue-Bizen sword. Without any comparable mei you should focus on the blade itself.

 

reinhard